Commenting on the Scottish Government’s plans to replace Standard Grades and Intermediate 1 and 2 Grades with SVQ level 4 and 5, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary Jeremy Purvis MSP said:

“This statement could have been clearer. Ministers must now ensure that they undertake a full consultation on not just how the education sector will implement these changes, but also the changes themselves.

“Since taking office the Government’s consultation on the Curriculum for Excellence has been poor and combined with this new statement there is genuine concern among teachers about the details and timeframe of changes that will be imposed upon them. It was an omission that there was no mention at all how vocational Work for Skills courses fit in to the new framework.

“The Scottish Government should be engaging with the education sector, Scotland’s universities and colleges, industry, pupils and parents before deciding on such radical changes. Any new system should be clearly understood by teachers and employers alike.”